SPRINGFIELD -- Governor Jay Nixon says he remains truly undecided about whether to sign a bill repealing Missouri's motorcycle helmet law.

But the founder of the Brothers of the Third Wheel believes the state's helmet requirement will have an economic impact on Branson this weekend as his group kicks off their annual "Trike Week" gathering at Compton Ridge Campground.

"We've still got members today that won't come because of the helmet law," said Jim Sickler of Ava, who heads the Brothers of the Third Wheel event.

It's one of the biggest gatherings of trikers -- motorcycles with a third wheel -- all year.  Sickler said since the location moved from South Dakota, they've lost between 300 and 400 attendees.

"We're not getting members showing up to these events because Missouri's a helmet state," he explained.  "They're losing a lot of money to tourism."

Sickler estimates that the average biker will spend around $1000 a week when gas, lodging and food is included.  "You get 1,000 people spending $1,000 in one week.  That's a pretty good chunk of change flowing into the local economy," Sickler said.

Of the eight states that border Missouri, just two -- Nebraska and Tennessee, have a helmet requirement.

That's the point Sickler made to the Governor in a letter, one of hundreds Nixon has received on an issue he's clearly conflicted on.

"The tourism capacity and all of that sort of stuff is important but ultimately it comes down to a pretty lonely decision I've got to make between now and a bill signing ceremony," Nixon said this week in Springfield.

Keith Babbit is a proud tricker, but said the Governor's decision won't impact his riding either way.

"I would wear a helmet anyway. It makes me feel better, more comfortable," Babbit said.  "I think it's a good law."

That's the basic argument Nixon, who's got some biker credibility of his own, has to balance.

When asked if he's ever ridden a motorcycle, Nixon laughed and replied that he has.

"I did in fact wear a helmet, I have ridden motorcycles," the Governor said, to laughs in the room.  "I've shot birds, I've caught fish," he added with a smile.

If the Governor signs the bill, it would allow anyone 21 and older to ride anywhere without a helmet -- except interstate highways.

Some have  argued that from a safety standpoint, that doesn't make sense -- because most motorcycle accidents don't occur on the interstate.